Elections /
Pombo Out of the Running
Ten states held primary elections yesterday, and voters across the country decided which candidates will face off in the November match-ups.
Uncategorized /
Speak Up for PUPS
It’s appropriate that the month of May, which is perhaps best known for Mother’s Day, saw so much activity on the puppy mill issue—and we see light on the horizon for the hundreds of thousands of mother dogs who are kept in wire cages for their entire lives producing litter after litter, without exercise, companionship, or human interaction.
Ballot Measures /
Measuring the Benefits of Ballot Measures
We’ve always known that statewide ballot initiatives have intangible benefits for the animal protection movement, in addition to getting new public policies enacted for animals. Thousands of animal advocates are trained in the political process when they gather signatures, knock on doors, or otherwise participate in campaigns. Millions of voters deliberate on animal protection issues when they walk into the voting booth and have to select “Yes” or “No” on a measure.
Ballot Measures /
Liberty is Safe Again in Missouri
New York Assemblyman Gideon J. Tucker—the author of a mid-19th century animal cruelty law—wrote as a judge in 1866: “No man’s life, liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session.”
Uncategorized /
Consumers Want the Truth
I testified this afternoon at a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, in support of H.R. 2480, the Truth in Fur Labeling Act. This bill, introduced by Representatives Jim Moran (D-Va.) and Mary Bono Back (R-Calif.), along with its counterpart, S.
Uncategorized /
Law Helps Take Down Animal Fighters
The federal Farm Bill passed in 2008 included several animal welfare provisions, with one strengthening the federal law against dogfighting and cockfighting and building on the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act which was enacted a year earlier.
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Florida's Giant Snake Problem
An editorial in yesterday’s Columbus Dispatch called on Ohio lawmakers to crack down on the trade in dangerous exotic pets, referencing not only the problems in their own backyard but also the problems 1,000 miles away—as Burmese pythons, Nile monitor lizards, and other imported species interfere with Florida’s ecosystems.
Uncategorized /
Increasing Penalties for Killing Protected Birds
Every month that goes by, we see more heinous and illegal killing of federally protected migratory birds. In February, two red-tailed hawks were gunned down in the Puget Sound area of Washington state. In March, a golden eagle was tortured in central Utah and the bird’s tail feathers were ripped out.
Uncategorized /
The Lucky Seven: Q&A with Sarah Baeckler
I hope you’ll have the opportunity to join HSLF this Sunday, May 2, at one of the many Party Animals events held around the country, rallying in support of H.R. 1326, the Great Ape Protection Act, to phase out invasive research on chimpanzees and retire the remaining federally owned chimps to sanctuaries. We’ll be speaking to animal advocates on a nationwide conference call, and will be joined by Rep.
Uncategorized /
Watch The Genesis Awards this Weekend
If you didn’t get to attend The HSUS’ 24th annual Genesis Awards in Beverly Hills, you can watch it this weekend in the comfort of your own living room. The one-hour special will air on Animal Planet this Saturday, April 24, at noon ET/PT, and Sunday, April 25, at 1:00pm ET/PT.
Uncategorized /
Help Stem the Tide of Animal "Crush" Videos
The big news this week was the U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down a federal law barring the commercial sale of videos depicting extreme animal cruelty. The measure—originally introduced by Rep.
Uncategorized /
California Scores
Since California’s overwhelming passage of Proposition 2 in 2008 underscored the clear sentiment of voters that all animals deserve humane treatment, including animals raised for food, state lawmakers in Sacramento have advanced a number of policy reforms to stop cruelty and abuse.
